While at Blogfest 2012 in NYC last month, Joann and I sat down for a scrumptious lunch hosted by New York Spaces Magazine. In the center of the table, were five handmade, colorful, glass cups in vibrant colors. Turns out there is an inspiring story behind this centerpiece made of "glassybabys".

During lunch, the founder of glassybaby, Lee Rhodes, shared her miraculous story with us. Back in 1998 while enduring her third battle with lung cancer (all the while raising three small kids), Lee discovered  a slice of magical healing in the form of a tea light dropped into one of this soulful little cups. The soothing light that emanated from these cups gave Lee a feeling of peace and calm she desperately needed to heal. She began hiring Seattle artists to make these glass votives in her glassblowing studio.

Glassybaby are now made in 400+ colors with names like hope, joy, frog hunting, wet dog and happiness. (I personally own seattle sunset, chartreuse and aqua verde along with a long wish list of others). I think I need to get some for our Fourth of July party this summer!

More than sixty artists work seven days a week at Lee's Seattle studio. Unbelievably, it takes four artists to make just one glassybaby!

So that's the story of survival. What pulls at my heart strings though, is Lee's remarkable story of success in the form of giving to other cancer patients. From the beginning, glassybaby donated money from sales to charities helping cancer patients.  Lee told us how she remembers meeting people in waiting rooms who could not afford basic day to day costs like bus fare and groceries during treatment.  Health insurance does not help with those needs so Lee wanted to help fill that gap.  Glassybaby has donated more than $910,000 from sales to charities dedicated to healing and helping cancer patients.

Here is Lee telling her story. Listen to it - it will move you. Click HERE.

I love a gift that is a memory builder - a gift that marks a special moment in life or says things that words cannot express. A simple gift of beauty that offers light and hope to it's recipient.  Personally, I think glassybaby packs a whole lot of happy into a little white box!

Doesn't this photo just make you joyful? It was taken in Lee's studio just the other day.

So go ahead, purchase one of these inspiring little babies. I've already told all of my girlfriends that their Christmas present this year won't be much of a surprise:)

Here's a video of other crazy fans like myself lining up by the hundreds (literally!)  for the annual Seconds Sale (click HERE)

oh yeah....